May 14, 2021
An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn
The basics
Title: An Offer From a Gentleman
Author: Julia Quinn
Series: Bridgertons #3
- The Duke and I (2000) - The Viscount Who Loved Me (2000) - An Offer From A Gentleman (2001) - Romancing Mister Bridgerton (2002) - To Sir Philip, With Love (2003) - When He Was Wicked (2004) - It's In His Kiss (2005) - On the Way to the Wedding (2006)
Add it: Goodreads
Goodreads Summary:
Will she accept the offer before the clock strikes midnight? Sophie Beckett never dreamed she'd be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton's famed masquerade ball. Though the daughter of an earl, Sophie has been relegated to the role of servant by her disdainful stepmother. But now, waltzing in the strong arms of the debonair and devastatingly handsome Benedict Bridgerton, she feels like royalty. Alas, she knows all enchantments must end when the clock strikes midnight. Who was that extraordinary woman? Ever since that magical night, a radiant vision in silver has blinded Benedict to the attractions of any other— except, perhaps, this alluring and oddly familiar beauty dressed in housemaid's garb. He has sworn to find and wed his mystery miss, but this breathtaking maid makes him weak with wanting her. If he offers her his heart, will he sacrifice his only chance for a fairy-tale love?
Here is a spoiler summary of what happened in An Offer From a Gentleman (Bridgerton #3) by Julia Quinn to help refresh your memory before you read the sequel.
What happened in An Offer From a Gentleman (Bridgerton #3)?
Sophie’s story..
- Sophie Beckett has been adopted by the Earl of Penwood, who didn’t really care for her but he was a friend of her parents. The Countess dislikes Sophie a lot.
- The Earl dies, and pays Araminta to look after Sophie until her 20th birthday.
- Lady Bridgerton is hosting a masquerade ball (another one???), and Araminta wants to marry off her daughters to Benedict and/or Colin.
- Their housekeeper, Mrs Gibbons, tells Sophie about the ball and wants Sophie to go to it.
- Sophie meets Benedict and the two hit it off. He teaches her to dance on a terrace and it’s very romantic. Colin bumps into the two of them.
- Benedict wants to know more about Sophie but she won’t tell him about herself. She then runs off because she needs to be back by midnight (it’s all very Cinderalla).
- Sophie accidentally left one of her gloves behind, which Benedict finds. He sees it has SLG on it but he doesn’t know what that means.
- Violet tells Benedict that it’s the symbol for the Earl of Penwood. Benedict asks his mother about the Penwood girls but she doesn’t think they’re his type.
- Benedict heads to the house to speak to Araminta. He’s looking for his mystery girl, btu when he sees the Penwood girls he assumes his mystery girl isn’t there. Sophie is unfortunately locked in a cupboard at this point.
- Araminta realises that Benedict has been looking for Sophie, and she kicks Sophie out of the house.
- Two years on, Sophie is working as a maid in London.
- There’s a party at her employer’s house and Sophie is assaulted but Benedict arrives to save her. He doesn’t realise she’s the same girl from the ball two years ago.
- Benedict takes Sophie home. She falls asleep watching over Benedict, who has fallen ill.
- Sophie helps to look after Benedict and he recovers from his illness. Over time, the two of them bond quite easily.
- Benedict and Sophie kiss, and Benedict asks her to head back to London with him.
- Violet recognises Sophie because she’s the only one who is paying any attention. She can’t quite remember how she knows Sophie though.
- They hire Sophie as a maid.
- Sophie bumps into Araminta for the first time in years. She hides from her successfully, although one of the daughters spots Sophie.
- Benedict has been struggling with his feelings for Sophie. He speaks to Violet, again the only person paying any attention, and asks her thoughts on the matter and how it would go if he marries a maid.
- Violet is fairly supportive, really.
- Benedict FINALLY realises that Sophie is the mystery girl from the ball. JFC.
- Benedict is angry with Sophie, but I think he should be angry that it took him literal years to realise this.
- Sophie leaves the Bridgerton House. While she’s waiting for a carriage, Araminta arrives. She’s angry because Sophie stole a shoe clip to fund her first trip to London. She has Sophie arrested and locked up.
- Benedict talks to Colin and he realises he loves Sophie and wants to marry her. He goes to find her but Violet tells him Sophie left and she doesn’t know where she is.
- The Bridgertons learn that Sophie is in jail and they go to rescue her. Benedict speaks with the magistrate but he’s reluctant to budge because Araminta is sure Sophie stole the shoe clip.
- Posy then steps up and says she was the thief all along.
- Sophie is released, and she’s finally able to tell Benedict everything. She tells him she’s the illegitimate daughter of the late Earl of Penwood. Posy, overhearing all of this, reveals that the Earl left Sophie a dowry that Araminta has been hiding.
- Sophie and Posy go back with the Bridgertons, but not before Sophie punches Araminta.
- They live happily ever after (I assume).
That’s what happened in An Offer From a Gentleman! Check out our recap list for more recaps. If you can’t find what you need, you can request a recap from us!
